I bet Jokic is the big fish.....

[rondohondo]

It's just makes too much sense. Jokic is just gonna be on a 50 win denver team that makes it to the 2nd round and gets bounced by SAS or okc for the foreseeable future. His contract will be up after next year , but can sign a supermax.


Brad offers

Queta
Hugo
George
Phi/clippers pick
3 additional 1st rd picks


Core of
Pritchard
White
Shiermen
Tatum
Jokic


Big 3 of Jokic, Tatum and PP

I feel it in my bones.  If not by the deadline, then next off-season


I think Jokic will age very well as he doesn't depend on athleticism.

[Jiri Welsch]

That would be fun. But if the word of the day is OPTIONALITY I think Brad wants to be able to round out the roster with whatever possibilities present themselves.

Two supermax contracts severely limits your window.

[ozgod]

I would be personally (but pleasantly) amazed if this prediction came true

I?m just wondering what?s in it for Denver? 

[DefenseWinsChamps]

This has crossed my mind. I know that Jokic refused to sign the extension with Denver, supposedly because it is more advantageous for him next year. That may be true, but it's also true it places a lot of pressure on Denver.

Denver has one of the worst "war chest" of pick assets in the league. They have no 2nd round picks available for years and only can trade their 2031 1st round pick.

Cam Johnson may not even be a positive asset right now. Gordon is quickly becoming a meh asset as well with his soft tissue injuries, although he still probably has positive value. I even think that Murray is significantly more valuable to Denver than he is to any other team in the league because of his positional importance next to Jokic.

On top of that, Watson is probably not worth 25+ million a year, but they can neither afford to pay him that and go significantly into the 2nd apron, nor afford to lose his talent on their roster. It's basically the same situation as they had with Braun, who is a positive asset, but is probably overpaid.

Other picks like Pickett, Strawthor, Nnaji, and Holmes just haven't panned out like they needed them too. The Jonas signing didn't work like they hoped.

They are throwing a desperate Hail Mary right now at Lebron James. That they are a finalist is a sheer credit to Jokic (and not their front office, or supporting cast), but James will not end up going there.

If a team can give all the picks the Nuggets want, with a couple decent young players to fill out their roster, I would think the Nuggets would consider it. I'm not even sure there's another team positioned as well currently to go after him.

If the Nuggets were quietly considering trading him, and the Celtics offered Queta, George, another young prospect (preferably not Hugo because I think Hugo would be a star next to Jokic), and all their available firsts or swaps, and multiple seconds, I would think the Nuggets would consider it. I don't think another team out there could/would conceivable beat that offer with the current roster constructions.

[snively]

I don't think Jokic is the type of personality to force a trade and I don't think Denver would consider moving him unless he became greatly diminished.

I think Anthony Edwards is the more likely candidate though I don't think the Cs have the assets unless one of the young guys breaks out and shows some star potential.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

[Who]

I don't think Jokic is the type of personality to force a trade and I don't think Denver would consider moving him unless he became greatly diminished.

I think Anthony Edwards is the more likely candidate though I don't think the Cs have the assets unless one of the young guys breaks out and shows some star potential.

Agreed on Jokic.

I feel like 18 months is too soon for Ant. If it was another 12 months on, I'd be much more confident. He has to become disillusioned with LaMelo's injuries & playoff failures. I don't think one season of disappointment is enough ... or one and a half seasons ... get him to a point where he asks out.

2 and a half to 3 seasons is what I am looking at for Ant.

Cade Cunningham might end up in a similar boat by then as well. It is hard to see how DET push through from where they are (good regular season team, dodgy playoff team) to being a legit contender.

-----------

Orlando might be the best option. Already high levels of frustration there. High payroll. Another year of disappointment expected next season. If they start of the first half of the following season, they might consider moving one of their stars - Banchero or F Wagner.

I could see CLE blowing it up in 18 months time if they fail to land LeBron as a FA. I expect them to take a step back next year - to have an irritating season with too many old legs / bad defenders on the perimeter. D Mitchell or E Mobley might shake lose at that point. Not sure we will want D Mitchell's new contract though.

Sengun, Garland, Kyrie, D Booker. All 2nd or 3rd tier stars.